Shelter — Restaurant in Washington

Last night I was heading to the Dave Chappelle show at the Capital One arena. Before heading out — my close friend and I wanted to grab drinks from the Shelter located at the Roost. I can’t help at times to feel like I’m treated as someone who does not belong there.

There has been a few occasions where I brought friends to the Shelter and they have expressed the same feeling.

Last night was the icing on the cake. My friend and I sat at the bar — located in The Shelter and waited several minutes before the server, named Dale, gave us menus. Instead of handing us the menu — he just placed it on the side and pointed at it, then continued about his business. Keep in this is not our first time going to the Shelter so I already know what I want to order and tried to relay that message to him but he completely ignored us.

Finally when he takes our order — he ask us for ID’s which is fine but I couldn’t help but notice that he was looking at it extra hard as if it was fake or something. Also, there was a couple sitting right next to us and they ordered cocktails but were not asked to see there ID.

This is not the first time Dale served us. When I first moved into the building we sat outside of The Roost for dinner and Dale was our server. We had issue with our orders and I brought to Dale attention. Instead of helping us to resolve it, he shrugged his shoulder as is he didn’t care.

Today I reminded him about how he treated us the previous time he served us and his response was “I don’t remember or know what you’re talking about”.

If you want excellent service ask for Abby, Lou or Big fella that wear the Hawaiian shirts. They are the best. Overall the food is great here and it’s lovely atmosphere. But sometimes a few bad apples can ruin...

Admittedly, when I read that Shelter was a product of the folks behind Churchkey and the Sovereign, I knew I had to pay a visit. Fan of EITHER of those mighty fine establishments (or of beer in general)? Seek Shelter.

Opening with a “limited” selection of draft/cask and cans/bottles for now, you might still find yourself fumbling over which beer(s) to order much like I did. “Taster” sized glasses are also an option provided you’re unsure of that sour you’d heard about. Also-also, Shelter has compostable cups for to-go beers which will come in handy especially if you’re getting takeout from Red Apron or Hi/Fi.

Ordering comes way of tabletop QR code scan to access The Roost menu. There you’ll find Shelter’s as well as additional drink options (think wine, cocktails and non-alcoholic) and food too. Don’t worry, it doesn’t read Cheesecake Factory style by any means but you’ll be hard pressed to have just “a drink” after viewing all that’s available.

Service was standout and a big takeaway from my visit. Chelsea was our table’s beer whisperer for the evening, sharing both informed suggestions and opinionated alternatives with each order. This was per my request, of course, and naturally made the visit memorable.

Like I said before, seek...

Shelter is a beer lover's paradise. With its wide selection of craft beers, it offers a diverse range of flavors to satisfy every palate. The relaxed and inviting atmosphere provides the perfect setting to enjoy a pint or two. The added advantage of being connected to a food court allows patrons to explore a variety of culinary options, ensuring there's something for everyone. The knowledgeable staff is always ready to provide recommendations and help navigate the extensive beer menu. Whether you're a beer aficionado or just looking for a casual spot to unwind, Shelter offers a fantastic beer bar experience with the added convenience of easy access to a...